Asia Cup 2018 schedule unveiled; India to play Pakistan minimum twice unless miracle strikes

The schedule for the 2018 edition of Asia Cup to be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was released on Tuesday, July 24. The biennial tournament will kick off at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 15 with former champions Sri Lanka taking on two-time runners-up Bangladesh. The final will be played on September 28, also in Dubai.

While current champions India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan have got direct entries into the tournament, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Singapore and hosts UAE will vie for the sixth position.

This is the third time that the UAE will host the Asia Cup. They hosted the inaugural tournament in 1984 and then in 1995 though, on both those occasions, the tournaments were played in Sharjah. On both occasions, India defeated Sri Lanka to win the title. India have won the tournament most number of times (six) while Lanka have won five times and Pakistan twice.

The best two teams in the Super 4 stage will play the final

The format of the Asia Cup will return to the 50-over format this year, unlike the 2016 edition which was played in the T20 format. The format of the Asia Cup tournament (50 or 20 overs) depends on the next World Cup to be played.

The 14th edition to be played this year will feature two groups with three teams each. India and Pakistan along with the qualifier team have been clubbed in Group A while Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan are in Group B. Two top teams from each group will proceed to the Super 4 stage where all four sides will face each other.

The format means India and Pakistan will be playing each other a minimum of two times unless a miracle happens. They are scheduled to play in the group stage in Dubai on September 19 and after they qualify (which is likely to happen), the two arch-rivals will meet each other again on September 23 as the winners and runners-up of Group A.

The best two teams in the Super 4 stage will play the final.

The itinerary also sees India playing their group matches on consecutive days (September 18 and 19).

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